Written Answers Nos. 198-208
198. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 226 of 9 September 2021, the way the cash flow impact was estimated; and if it was calculated on the basis of the excess amount paid fully as a cash payment instalment not earlier than the relevant tax pay and file date for the company’s accounting period in which the qualifying expenditure was made. [44391/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy's previous question asked for an estimated cost in 2022 of amending the research and development tax credit regime by allowing small and micro companies to receive the credit in one instalment rather than three instalments over a 33-month period payable not earlier than the relevant tax pay and file date for the company’s accounting period in which the qualifying expenditure was made.
I am advised by Revenue that the estimated cash flow impact of €25 million provided in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 226 of 9 September 2021 was based on 2019 Corporation Tax returns data, for small and micro companies only (assumed to be companies with fewer than 50 employees).
The 1st instalment payable credit claims for these companies in 2019 was approximately €12.5 million. It was assumed the excess amount remaining associated with these claims was €25 million (for the 2nd and 3rd instalments) and that these credits could be claimed up front under the Deputy’s proposal.
This cash flow cost previously provided was not reduced by amounts returned on the 2019 tax returns for 2nd and 3rd instalment associated with earlier expenditure. It was assumed that in the first year of the proposal, the companies would be allowed to claim 100% of the excess amount of the claim plus their existing 2nd and 3rd instalment amounts for earlier expenditure years. The cost is therefore presented as a cash flow cost and not a full year cost.
I am advised by Revenue that these estimates are based on the activity and expenditure levels in 2019. The actual cash flow cost would depend on future R&D expenditure amounts, which are not known at present.
199. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 232 of 9 September 2021, if there was any type of contract in place of any nature to maintain, operate and monitor the Fermoy north pumping station at the time when the flooding occurred. [44268/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraConstruction of the Fermoy North flood defence scheme commenced in 2009 and was completed in 2011. The Scheme comprises grass-covered embankments, permanent walls, demountable flood barriers and pumping stations, and is designed to protect 77 properties on the north side of Fermoy against the 1-in-100-year flood event. Damages avoided in such an event are estimated to be in the order of €18m.
Cork County Council carries out the operation and maintenance of the Fermoy North scheme on behalf of the Office Public Works, the Contracting Authority. The County Council engages a contractor who regularly services the pumping stations, at both Rathealy Road and the Western Embankment. The contractor made immediate interim adjustments at the pumping stations following the February 23rd flood event and then serviced the pumps to ensure the systems were functioning. Personnel from Cork County Council monitor the pumping stations.
Cork County Council, in conjunction with OPW, have been investigating the possible cause or causes which led to the February 2021 flood event, including investigations regarding the functioning of the pumping stations at both Rathealy Road and the Western Embankment. After the flood event of 23rd February 2021, the OPW engaged a specialist firm to provide a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of both Fermoy North pumping stations. This analysis will aim to determine what occurred on 23rd February and make appropriate recommendations, where necessary.
200. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will publish the work programme under the arterial drainage scheme maintenance programme; the works that are planned; the dates; the screening processes required; and the publication date of the screening reports. [44321/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra201. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which he understands the obligation to publish in a timely manner the appropriate assessments reports for works under the arterial drainage scheme maintenance programme; and if he will undertake to publish them three months before work. [44322/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra202. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the internal processes for conducting appropriate assessment for works under the arterial drainage scheme maintenance programme; if there has been any external review of the adequacy of the reports; and the consultation which has occurred with NGOs regarding screening. [44323/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 200, 201 and 202 together.
The OPW is responsible for the maintenance of Arterial Drainage Schemes and catchment drainage schemes designated under the Arterial Drainage Acts of 1945 and 1995. The OPW carries out an annual programme of statutory Arterial Drainage Maintenance to a total of 11,500 km of river channel and approximately 730 km of embankments.
The annual programme is currently available for inspection by appointment in hard copy format in the main regional drainage offices of the OPW at:
- OPW East Region, Newtown, Trim, Co. Meath
- OPW South West Region, Templemungret House, Mungret, Co. Limerick
- OPW West Region, Headford, Co. Galway
The annual programme comprises a large volume of maps and channel lists and regional staff actively facilitate queries by landowners and other interested parties on the proposed works. The network of watercourses and embankments maintained by the OPW under the arterial drainage maintenance programme is available to view on www.floodinfo.ie/map/drainage_map/ .
The OPW undertook a Strategic Environmental Assessment involving a large-scale public consultation process in the development of the arterial drainage maintenance programme of activities for 2018 – 2021. A full description of the Arterial Drainage Maintenance Service is published in the ‘National Arterial Drainage Maintenance List of Activities 2018 – 2021’, along with the associated environmental documents. A further public consultation is being carried out later this year as part of the next cycle of arterial drainage maintenance activities.
In terms of Appropriate Assessment screening and conducting Appropriate Assessments for arterial drainage maintenance works, the processes are published in OPW’s ‘Environmental Guidance: Drainage Maintenance and Construction’. The OPW generally procures external independent environmental consultants to carry out environmental assessments including Appropriate Assessments.
The Arterial Drainage Maintenance Service operates a national framework of five-year Appropriate Assessments for thirty-one catchments and all associated Screening reports, Natura Impact Assessments and AA Determinations are published on the OPW website at /www.gov.ie/en/collection/4ee2fc-appropriate-assessment/. Where additional appropriate assessments are conducted for specific sites, the associated Natura Impact Statements are being published on the OPW website.
All Appropriate Assessments for arterial drainage maintenance activities require a statutory six-week consultation process with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (National Parks & Wildlife Service) as per the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. A six-week consultation process is also conducted in parallel with Inland Fisheries Ireland.
In late June 2021, new statutory requirements for public consultation of Appropriate Assessments were introduced through the European Union (Birds and Natural Habitats) (Amendment) Regulations 2021. Accordingly, for all new Appropriate Assessments for arterial drainage maintenance, the OPW will conduct the public consultation process for a minimum of 30 days, including publication of the Natura Impact Statement and any other relevant assessment reports. NGOs will have the opportunity to participate in the public consultation process and to contribute to the determination of all drainage maintenance Appropriate Assessments.
The determination of the Appropriate Assessment will be made after all consultations have been completed. Works can only proceed where it has been determined that the works in combination with other plans or projects, will not adversely affect the integrity of any European Natura 2000 site.
As part of ongoing improvements in the delivery of information services, the OPW will continue to review the information resources relating to arterial drainage maintenance work programmes that are currently available through the OPW websites at www.gov.ie/en/organisation/office-of-public-works and at www.floodinfo.ie.
203. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will ensure that all staff in his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit who, by necessity of their work have to come into close proximity with others, including other employees or members of the public are provided with medical grade masks in the EN14683 category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44379/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the majority of staff of my Department continue to work remotely in line with current Government and HSE guidelines unless, due to business needs, it is necessary to be physically present in the office. In line with the Work Safely Protocol, my Department has a Covid Response Plan that is available to all staff and provides guidance on a broad range of Covid-related issues, including the wearing of face coverings where the position adopted is in line with public health guidelines. As part of its Covid Response Plan, my Department has also instituted infection protection and control measures, such as physical distancing and good hand and respiratory hygiene. Based on public health guidelines, the nature of its office-based work and given that it does not provide services directly to the public, my Department has no plans to provide medical grade masks in the EN14683 category to staff or members of the public.
This is also the case for the bodies under the aegis of my Department, with the exception of the bodies listed below:
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Office of Public Works (OPW) |
Due to the necessity of its work, EN14683 medical grade face masks are provided to the relevant OPW staff in accordance with public health guidelines. |
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State Laboratory |
All staff in the State Laboratory who, by necessity of their work, have to come into close proximity with others, including other employees or external consultants, are provided with medical grade masks in the EN14683 category. |
204. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an additional financial allocation will be provided to her Department given the number of applications received and the associated costs of projects submitted under the current round of the sports capital grants scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44325/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1st March 2021. By the closing date, over 3,100 applications were submitted seeking over €200m in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received.
The scoring system and assessment procedures was published earlier this year and all applications are being assessed in accordance with these. Approximately one thousand of the submitted applications were for "equipment only" projects. These applications were assessed first and €16.6m worth of grants was announced on the 6th August.
The remaining applications for capital works are now being assessed. Given the large number of applications received, this work is likely to take a number of months to complete with allocations expected to be announced before the end of this year.
A decision on the total allocation amount will not be made until all applications have been assessed. Every effort will be made to fund as many worthwhile projects as possible while providing a sufficient level of grant to ensure the projects are viable.
205. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will address a matter raised in correspondence in relation to children’s choirs (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44310/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 31 August, the Government published a plan - COVID-19: Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting. The Government has agreed that during the period between 1 September and 22 October, we will continue our careful and gradual approach to reopening, while supporting maximum reach of the vaccine programme and allowing time to achieve the full benefits for all those currently being vaccinated. The Plan emphasises the importance of personal responsibility in minimising opportunities for virus transmission as we move into the final stages of the reopening of our society and economy.
In terms of arts and culture activities, one to one music, dance and art classes may operate at the moment.
Additionally, at its meeting on 31 August, Government agreed on the return to outdoor and indoor events at the following capacity levels and with maximum available social distancing between groups:
- Indoors – for vaccinated/recovered people and accompanying minors- 60% capacity
- Outdoors - for vaccinated/recovered people and accompanying minors- 75% capacity
- Outdoors - for mixed groups of vaccinated/recovered and unvaccinated people – 50% capacity.
The announcement of dates for the lifting of restrictions is a response to a clear call from the sector. In the interim, we will see increased opportunities for live performance both indoors and outdoors from 6 September.
Indoor group activities include sports, arts, culture, dance classes and the activity referred to by the Deputy in details supplied. All indoor group activities should ensure that there are appropriate infection prevention and control measures in place to minimise the risk of virus transmission. The Arts Council has prepared guidance on the reopening of arts, culture and dance activities for children and young people which is available on their website [www.artscouncil.ie/covid-19/government-guidelines/], which is currently being updated.
As signalled by Government in its reopening plan, there will be a full return to these activities after 22 October 2021 as the vaccination programme progresses and subject to the levels of infections and hospitalisations at that time.
206. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of sports capital grant applications received from County Cork under the current application round; the number and individual details of these applications that she has visited; when it is anticipated that allocations will be made under the current round; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44326/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1st March 2021. By the closing date, over 3,100 applications were submitted seeking over €200m in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received. Of the applications received under this round, 325 were from County Cork. Details of all applications on a county basis are available at the following link:- www.gov.ie/en/collection/b62b8-sports-capital-and-equipment-programme-2020-applications/.
The scoring system and assessment procedures was published earlier this year and all applications are being assessed in accordance with these. Approximately one thousand of the submitted applications were for "equipment only" projects. These applications were assessed first and grant allocations to the value of €16.6m were announced on the 6th August.
The remaining applications for capital works are now being assessed. Given the large number of applications received, this work is likely to take a number of months to complete with allocations expected to be announced before the end of this year.
As Minister with responsibility for the SCEP, I receive regular representations regarding the Programme. When visiting any region I always endeavour to meet as many sporting clubs and organisations from the area as possible. Some of these may have made applications under the programme previously but many will not. As referenced, all applications are assessed in a transparent fashion by officials within my Department in line with the published scoring system and assessment manual. I have no involvement in this assessment process.
207. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will ensure that all staff in her Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit who, by necessity of their work have to come into close proximity with others, including other employees or members of the public are provided with medical grade masks in the EN14683 category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44382/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department adheres to its health and safety obligations, including face coverings.
In that context, I can assure the Deputy that all decisions in this regard are informed by the relevant public health guidelines and HSA advice.
208. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is a national policy by which a person must be resident in an area for a certain period of time before being allowed to access homelessness services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44269/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual local authorities.
Under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988, provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household.
Any household assessed as homeless may be placed into temporary emergency accommodation without the requirement to undergo a social housing assessment, allowing local authorities the flexibility that is essential to respond quickly and effectively to the various needs of cases that may arise.
